Caloundra watchhouse transition to youth jail could be ready by Christmas: state government

A new youth jail in Caloundra could be open by Christmas despite community consultation on the controversial plans only just starting.

A $16.4m youth jail in the heart of Caloundra could be operational by the end of the year despite a community consultation process only just starting.

A Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs spokesman said the new “short-term remand centre” set to be created as part of a repurposing of the Caloundra Watchhouse could be open by the end of 2021 pending planning approval.

The spokesman confirmed the department was working with QBuild to deliver the facility which had $5m worth of infrastructure funding allocated in the most recent state budget.

It came as Opposition MPs on the Sunshine Coast slammed what it said were efforts to sell the plan to the community by the state government after it had already made a decision.

Former child protection detective and current Ninderry MP Dan Purdie questioned the legitimacy of the consultation process.

“It’s already budgeted for,” he said.

“From what I’ve heard it’s a done deal, it’s happening.”

Residents would have 20 business days to make their views known on plans to turn the watchhouse into a youth remand centre with up to 30 beds.

The $5m allocated in the last state budget was part of a $16.4m spend over five years to refit the facility which was next to a crematorium and less than 1km from a school and kindergarten.

Mr Purdie said the state government had been caught out by the community and was now trying to “sell it after the fact”.

He questioned whether Caloundra could end up losing police numbers as a result of the plan.

Queensland Police Service information provided by Police Minister Mark Ryan’s office confirmed it was intended that “the one officer that is allocated to the Caloundra Watchhouse will transition to the Maroochydore Watchhouse to supplement the ongoing custodial responsibilities to the Caloundra Courthouse and Caloundra Police”.

It is understood prosecutions staff had also been ordered to vacate the building as early as the end of this week with redeployment to other stations a possibility while internal refurbishment works at the watchhouse were understood to be imminent.

Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, having briefed media in Caloundra on the start of the consultation process.

“Since it was open, the watchhouse has been able to accommodate both adults and young people who have come to the attention of police,” Ms Linard said.

“It will now be used just for young people.

“This is the same building, in the same location – right next to the police station.

Sunshine Coast councillor Terry Landsberg has called for consultation and a rethink of the proposal.

“Instead of a mixture of adults and young people that could be held in there, it will just be young people.”

She said the facility would only be used for “short periods of time as required”.

She said police had advised the repurposing of the facility could occur without impacting on Queensland Police Service operations.

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt urged the community to have its say.

“If you live close to the existing watchhouse, we want to inform you about what we are planning and how little change will be visible given its current use as a watchhouse,” he said.

Another community comment period would be held before a final planning decision was made.

Ms Linard said she wouldn’t pre-empt community consultation when asked on Wednesday whether the plans would be scrapped if community sentiment was strongly opposed to the plans.